85 prime vs 85 in a telephoto: I live in Hicksville with no camera stores where I can try a lens. I would like opinions on image quality comparison between an 85mm 1.8 prime and 85mm...

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I live in Hicksville with no camera stores where I can try a lens. I would like opinions on image quality comparison between an 85mm 1.8 prime and 85mm using a 55-300 4.5-5.6. The primary use is portrait with a D7000, but I may use it outside for limited landscape or animal pics.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Both will make the same pic. The prime will be sharper than your 55-300 at 85mm and need less light than your 55-300 at 4.5 otherwise there isn't a difference. ;)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Db7423 wrote:

Both will make the same pic. The prime will be sharper than your 55-300 at 85mm and need less light than your 55-300 at 4.5 otherwise there isn't a difference. ;)

I understand about having the same focal length, I guess I'm wondering if there's enough difference in quality to justify the lens for outside use.

amehta Loc: Boston

If you go to the DxOMark lens ratinngs and select the Nikon D7000, the third lens on the list is the 85mm f/1.8, with a score of 25. The Nikon 55-300mm shows up part way down page 3, about #110 out of 135 lenses tested with that camera, and a score of 12 tested at 100mm. The difference between 25 and 12 is pretty significant.

I have stopped using my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR I in favor of the 85mm f/1.4. My zoom isn't listed for the D7000, but based on lenses similar to it, it would score around a 15-17. I can notice the difference between the two on typical shots.

As a warning, if you use the 85mm lens for portraits, you may want some post-processing tool which softens the skin. :-)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Thank-you DB7423 and Amehta! I can hide that much $$, even though Amehta knows I want the 135mm! Fear and common sense prevents that and I don't really want to rent.

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

My error.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

unclebe1 wrote:

My error.

Hey, no problem, a lot of the threads pose this issue and I'm trying remember. Thought I goofed!! I appreciate the thoughts! :)

amehta Loc: Boston

DaveO wrote:

Thank-you DB7423 and Amehta! I can hide that much $$, even though Amehta knows I want the 135mm! Fear and common sense prevents that and I don't really want to rent.

Renting can be a very bad idea. You might decide you really like what you rented, but you have to send it back. ;-)

BTW, the 200mm f/2 is #7 on the DxOMark list with a score of 23. Not bad for 2.5x the focal length at basically the same aperture. Sorry, I should stop tempting you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DaveO wrote:

I live in Hicksville with no camera stores where I can try a lens. I would like opinions on image quality comparison between an 85mm 1.8 prime and 85mm using a 55-300 4.5-5.6. The primary use is portrait with a D7000, but I may use it outside for limited landscape or animal pics.

I thought you meant literally "Hicksville," as in Hicksville, NY, not far from where I used to live. I often wondered why they gave the town that name.

A large aperture is good for portrait work. Depending on how serious you are about getting the best for your use, rent each at the same time and given them a workout.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Dave I have both the 85 1.8D and the G macro version. You can use both those lens's for just about anything.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

DaveO wrote:

I live in Hicksville with no camera stores where I can try a lens. I would like opinions on image quality comparison between an 85mm 1.8 prime and 85mm using a 55-300 4.5-5.6. The primary use is portrait with a D7000, but I may use it outside for limited landscape or animal pics.

Your avatar states that your are in Hicksville. Thats on Long Island. If so Go to the City to B&H or Adorama. But if you do make sure you leave your wallet at home or you will need a second mortgage when you leave the store. I am in the Quiet Corner as we speak

amehta Loc: Boston

jerryc41 wrote:

I thought you meant literally "Hicksville," as in Hicksville, NY, not far from where I used to live. I often wondered why they gave the town that name.

I wonder if the town had the name first, before the slang term. Maybe it's even the source of the slang?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

jerryc41 wrote:

I thought you meant literally "Hicksville," as in Hicksville, NY, not far from where I used to live. I often wondered why they gave the town that name.

A large aperture is good for portrait work. Depending on how serious you are about getting the best for your use, rent each at the same time and given them a workout.

Jerry, appreciate the reply! I should not have capitalized Hicksville. It was a feeble attempt to separate my rural out of the mainstream portion of my state with no real shopping centers or facilities of any kind. This is the peaceful and forgotten area of the state that is relatively obscure and not representative of Connecticut hustle bustle and affluence. Great place to raise a family!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Bret wrote:

Dave I have both the 85 1.8D and the G macro version. You can use both those lens's for just about anything.

Bret, I was looking for input as far as the quality of a prime vs the zoom for the same focal length in outdoor landscape and animal photography, the mitigating factor is that after my trip the primary use will be family pics. Probably dreaming as far as trying to do both, but previous trips show significant usage in the 55mm plus shots. I have a 55-300 f4.5, but I was hoping to do a little better in the 85mm range that suits me. Just trying to justify the expense after purchasing a 35,50,12-24,18-105 and a D7000 in the last several months, along with a Manfrotto, etc. Somewhere along the line, my bride of 43 years is beginning to lose her sense of humor!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

boberic wrote:

Your avatar states that your are in Hicksville. Thats on Long Island. If so Go to the City to B&H or Adorama. But if you do make sure you leave your wallet at home or you will need a second mortgage when you leave the store. I am in the Quiet Corner as we speak

Sounds like Windham County!!